The Wish Thief by C.D. Verhoff (Review by Valerie – #NerdGirlVal)

***THIS BOOK WAS PROVIDED TO NERD GIRL IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW***

Synopsis

A girl on a quest for the perfect stone finds more than she ever imagined. A modern tale about the power of hope, courage and persistence.

Glory Alley is a young caving enthusiast on a personal mission. Since Mother’s death, Father started drinking again and can’t find employment. Her siblings constantly quarrel with each other, making home feel like a war zone. Labeled a loser by her peers, school isn’t much better. Thinking money will solve their many problems, she sets off to find the legendary treasure of Queen’s Mesa. Just as the prize appears within reach, otherworldly beings arrive to take it away, but they have met their match in Glory.

A battle of wits versus magic ensues, unraveling the order of the universe. Only the girl who started the trouble can return things back to normal. Considering her unhappy situation back at home, surely there’s a better option than ‘normal’, but can she find it before time runs out?

Fantasy Adventure for Upper Middle Grade to Adult.

***Valerie – #NerdGirlVal’s Review***

The Wish Thief } This story had me feeling like a kid again. It is Alice in Wonderland, Goonies, a little of the Wizard of Oz, and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape all rolled into one. The story is Awesome! It is steady paced and very easy to follow. It would make a fantastic family movie.
Glory Alley’s family and life are very hard to handle for some, but there a lot of families just like hers out there today, sad. This story takes place on a planet just like ours. Collecting rocks of different kinds is her passion and get away, until she found a rock so unusual and beautiful, that she had to give it to her Mother for her Birthday. That’s when her adventure began!
There were little men and a Queen of sorts, from another planet. They wanted that special rock she found and gave to her Mother. Why???? Could this rock be magical? Could this rock allow her to make a wish? Could this rock change her life forever, good or bad? Glory had so many questions. She had to prove herself and figure out the 8 steps she needed or so she thought, to get what she really wants. It was like a trip down the rabbit whole and following the yellow brick road.
At points the story had me cheering Glory on. At some points it had me in tears. At some points it had me scared for her. And at some points it had me smiling and happy for her. As I was there watching her do and go through every thing she had to, I felt like her friend, Mother and helper of sorts. I was drawn into every aspect of the story.
This story is full of fun, suprises, family good times and bad, adventure, faith in ones self, true friendship, and courage. It is a wonderful story for people of all ages. I was blown away by how the author captured the true essence of a young child determined to help her family, no matter if it was her life in exchange. A lot of hard lessons learned along the way.
I enjoyed this book to no end! The Author mentioned possibly a second book, I sure hope so. I would love to be one of the ones to read a review it. It captivated my mind and I was a kids lost in a wonderful story that I wished would never end! Amazing!